Brandon McKee had all four of his punts downed inside the 20-yard line as he helped South Alabama defeat Georgia State 13-10.
Offensive Player of the Week
Justice Hansen (Arkansas State, So., QB, General Studies)
Sophomore quarterback Justice Hansen was responsible for five touchdowns, including a career-high four passing, and threw for 303 yards against Louisiana-Monroe, leading Arkansas State to a 51-10 win over the Warhawks. Hansen matched his career high for completions with 21 and didn’t throw an interception in 36 attempts while connecting on seven passes that went for at least 20 yards. His four touchdown passes tied the fourth most in school history and the second most by a Sun Belt player this year, while also marking the third time over A-State’s last four games he has thrown for multiple scores. Hansen’s 303 passing yards were the second most of his career, and he added 20 yards rushing to finish with 323 yards total offense. He also scored his first career rushing touchdown, and the five touchdowns he was responsible for tied the most by a Sun Belt player this season.
Defensive Player of the Week
Ukeme Eligwe (Georgia Southern, LB, r-Jr., General Studies)
Ukeme Eligwe tallied a career-high 12 tackles (eight solo), two pass breakups, a forced fumble and returned a fumble 90 yards for a touchdown against Appalachian State. It was the second-longest fumble return in school history (97 yards, Rodney Oglesby, vs. Valdosta State, 9/1/90) and was the first fumble return for a touchdown for an Eagle since Caleb Williams returned a fumble 62 yards at Georgia last year.
Special Teams Player of the Week
Brandon McKee (South Alabama, Sr., P, Sport and Recreation Management)
Brandon McKee had all four punts in the Jaguars’ win over Georgia State downed inside the 20-yard line; that total was not only the senior’s most of the season, it equaled his career high and the school game record in the category. He averaged 37.5 yards per kick, with the Panthers starting drives at their own 12, 16, 19 and nine yards lines and failing to cross the GSU-30 on each possession before giving the ball back to South.